Method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal is provided that deflects objects directed toward the sports goal downward to reduce the number of lost objects and to reduce the effort required to retrieve objects projected outside of and within the sports goal. The inventive method and apparatus increases practice time devoted to improving skills and encourages players to project balls to the periphery of the sports goal, as generally preferred in competitive games. The apparatus is configured for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top and includes an external frame surrounding the goal opening and an external net attachable to the external frame. The apparatus may further include an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as one of the goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as the goal top, as well as a concave-shaped internal net attachable to the internal frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/624,509 filed Nov. 3, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

a. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to sports goals used in sports such as lacrosse, soccer, hockey and the like, and, more particularly to a method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal by providing external and internal ball catcher nets for controlling movement and deflection of balls directed towards the goal net.

b. Description of Related Art

Sports goals are used in many sports and generally consist of a frame with a net, where the objective is to project a ball through the frame and into the net. When playing or practicing a sport, there is generally a player centrally obstructing the opening to the frame and/or net, limiting the area of which a ball or the like can enter the goal. Therefore, it is ideal for players to practice projecting a ball in proximity to the periphery of the frame, as opposed to the generally obstructed central portion of the frame. While practicing projection of balls or the like near the frame periphery, the probability of projecting a ball outside the frame is increased, requiring greater efforts in retrieving the ball, whereas a ball projected inside the frame is retained in the net. Likewise, even when a projected ball is retained in a net, the standard sport frame and net combination creates goals with horizontal depth, requiring effort to enter within the frame and to search through the net in order to retrieve balls projected within the goal.

In the art, there exists sports goals modified for targeted projection near the frame periphery and sports goals decreasing efforts in retrieving the ball. Known prior art are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,988 to Jensen et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,330 to Reilly, Jr., the respective disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,988, as illustrated in FIG. 11, discloses a recoil target 400 attached to a upper crossbar 406 of lacrosse goal 402. A target sheet 410 recoils balls projected upon the recoil target 400. The recoil target 400 acts as a target for a player's projections, and the recoil capabilities decrease efforts of retrieving balls projected directly at the device.

One exemplary drawback of the device is the limited surface area of target sheet 410, Thus, only when a ball is directly projected upon target 410 are the efforts in retrieving a ball decreased. Therefore, the device does not assist a user to target projections at the periphery of a goal; it merely assists users to target projections to the target sheet. Additionally the device does not reduce the effort required in retrieving balls projected within the goal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,330 to Reilly, Jr., as illustrated in FIG. 2, discloses a modified sports goal for training a sports player to direct objects into the preferred target areas. Goal posts 36A, 36B and cross bars 38A-G retain a net 40 in a shape defining a smaller goal in comparison to prior art or regulation goals, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The device acts as a traditional goal by allowing users to project objects through a goal and into a net; however, the defined goal causes users to target the projections to an area smaller than prior art goals and of a different shape than prior art goals.

Although a smaller sports goal such as the goal disclosed in Reilly, Jr. assists in training sports players to preferred target areas, it also increases the probability of a player's projections entirely missing the sports goal without providing any assistance in ball retrieval. The Reilly, Jr. goal does not provide assistance in retrieving balls missing the periphery of the small goal, nor does the device decrease the amount of effort required in retrieving balls retained within the goal. Another drawback is that the device is a separate goal in and of itself, thereby acclimating a player to a goal which would not be used in actual competitions, as compared to an attachment for regulation sports goals that would continue to acclimate a player to a goal used in actual competitions.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal, which provides fast connection capabilities to regulation sports goals, which is assists users in targeting projections to the periphery of a regulation sports goal, and which decreases the amount of effort required in retrieving balls projected either around the periphery of the goal and/or within the goal.

The invention solves the problems and overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of prior art sports goals and/or sports goal modifications by providing a novel method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus which is usable with existing regulation sports goals, such as, but not limited to, a regulation lacrosse sport goal, thereby reducing costs, storage space, and equipment necessary for training a sports player.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a device that reduces the number of lost balls and/or the effort required to retrieve balls that are projected outside the periphery of the goal by controlling the movement of balls projected outside the periphery and deflecting them downward proximate the goal. By controlling the movement of balls projected outside of the periphery of the goal, practice time devoted to improving sports skills is increased, while time devoted to retrieving balls is decreased. Furthermore, sports players are encouraged to practice projecting balls to the periphery of the goal, as preferred in actual competition.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a device that reduces the effort required to retrieve balls which are projected within a goal.

The invention provides an apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top. The apparatus comprises an external frame surrounding the goal opening and an external net being attachable to the external frame, so that movement of an object projected outside of the goal opening and within the external frame is controlled by the external net so that the object is deflected proximate the sports goal. The external frame may have an external side edge greater in length than one of the goal sides and an external top edge greater in length than the goal top. The external frame and external net may be substantially coplanar to the goal opening. The apparatus may further include one or a plurality of frame support member having a first-end and a second end. The first end may be operatively connected to the external frame, and the second end supports the external frame. The frame support member may extend transversely from the external frame. The apparatus may further include a support holder configured to receive the second end of the frame support member. The apparatus may further include a second external net attachable to the external frame. The apparatus may further include a fastener for releasably fastening the external net to the external frame.

The apparatus may further include an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as the goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as the goal top and an internal net being attachable to the internal frame, so that movement of an object projected within the goal opening is controlled by the internal net so that the object is deflected downward proximate the goal. The internal net may substantially cover an area of the goal opening. The internal frame may include curved battens, and the internal net is attachable to the battens for maintaining a concave shape of the internal net. The apparatus may further include a fastener for releasably fastening the internal frame to the sports goal.

The present invention also provides a method of modifying a sports goal with a goal opening. The method may include the steps of: providing an external frame capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding the goal opening; providing a frame support member for supporting the external frame; and attaching an external net to the external frame. The external net may be capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding the goal opening, such that movement of an object projected outside of the goal opening and within the external frame is controlled by the external net so that the object is deflected proximate the goal. The method may further include the steps of providing an internal frame within the goal opening and attaching an internal net to the internal frame for substantially covering the area of the goal opening, so that movement of an object projected within the goal opening is controlled by the internal net so that the object is deflected downward proximate the sports goal. The internal net may be concave-shaped. The method may further include the substeps of providing a fastener and releasably fastening the external net to the external frame with the fastener.

These and additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a related art sports goal;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external frame attachable to the sports goal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of external netting usable with the external frame of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of internal netting usable with the sports goal of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a related art sports goal and goal attachment assemblies according to the present invention, respectively.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 1, existing sports goals such as goal 1 0 include a standard frame including front frame member 12, transverse support frame members 14 and side frame members 16. Frame members 12, 14, and 16 together provide support for netting 18 as is known in the art.

In use, when a ball, such as but not limited to, a lacrosse ball is shot (projected) towards a goal 10, optimally the ball is directed towards the periphery of frame members 12 and 16 to avoid stoppage thereof by a goalie or the like. Often, the ball misses frame members 12 and/or 16 and is shot past the goal. In such cases, the ball may be lost or may come to rest a considerable distance away from the goal. The expense of replacing lost balls, and further the time spent retrieving balls, is therefore of significant concern as such time can significantly reduce the amount of practice time of a given sport. Further, even if the ball is shot within frame members 12 and 16 and into the goal, due to the conical shape and horizontal depth of a typical goal (see FIG. 1), considerable effort and time is required to retrieve the ball from within the goal.

The present invention aims to alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional goal of FIG. 1.

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2-3, the first embodiment of the sports goal according to the present invention includes external ball catcher assembly 20 including external frame 22 and external net 24. External frame 22 may include a plurality of outer frame members 26, 28, each respectively supported by transverse supports 30, 32. While supports 30 bear against frame members 14, supports 32 fit within multiple support holder 34. Multiple support holder 34 may be affixed to edge 36 of frame members 14 of an existing sport goal.

When assembled in the configuration of FIG. 2, external frame 22 may be fixed onto goal frame members 12 and 16 by means of fasteners (not shown). These fasteners may be conventional in the art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may comprise quick-release fasteners. In another exemplary embodiment, the fasteners may be color-coded for ease of assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, external net 24 may then be attached to frame members 12, 16 along inner edges 38 of net 24, and to external frame 22 along outer edges 40 of net 24 with fasteners (not shown). These fasteners may be conventional in the art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may comprise quick-release attachment fittings. Once attached, net 24 thus deflects balls shot adjacent the edges of frame members 12, 16 towards the ground, thus alleviating the problem of lost balls and reducing the time spent retrieving balls.

Referring next to FIGS. 1 and 4, in order to further reduce the time spent retrieving balls, internal ball catcher assembly 42, including an internal frame 43 and internal net 44, may be provided. Frame 43 may include curved battens 46 and frame member 48. As shown in FIG. 4, net 44 may be attached to curved battens 46 and frame member 48 to create a concave-shaped net 44. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, internal ball catcher assembly 42 may be attached to frame members 12, 16 with fasteners (not shown). These fasteners may be conventional in the art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may comprise quick release attachment fittings. As discussed above, once attached, net 44 thus deflects balls shot within goal 10 towards the ground, thus alleviating the problem of lost balls and reducing the time spent retrieving balls.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising: an external frame surrounding said goal opening; and an external net being attachable to said external frame, wherein movement of an object projected outside of said goal opening and within said external frame is controlled by said external net so that said object is deflected proximate said sports goal.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said external frame has an external side edge greater in length than one of said goal sides and an external top edge greater in length than said goal top.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said external frame and said external net are substantially coplanar to said goal opening.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as said goal top; and an internal net being attachable to said internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is controlled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said goal.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said internal net substantially covers an area of said goal opening.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said internal frame further comprises curved battens and said internal net is attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said internal net.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a frame support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operatively connected to said external frame and said second end supporting said external frame.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said frame support member extends transversely from said external frame.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a support holder configured to receive said second end of said frame support member.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second external net attachable to said external frame.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fastener for releasably fastening said external net to said external frame.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of frame support members.
 13. An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as one of said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as said goal top; and an internal net being attachable to said internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is con-trolled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said goal.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a fastener for releasably fastening said internal frame to said sports goal.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said internal net substantially covers an area of said goal opening.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said internal frame further comprises curved battens and said internal net is attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said internal net.
 17. A method of modifying a sports goal with a goal opening, said method comprising the following steps: providing an external frame capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding said goal opening; providing a frame support member for supporting said external frame; and attaching an external net to said external frame, said external net capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding said goal opening, wherein movement of an object projected outside of said goal opening and within said external frame is controlled by said external net so that said object is deflected proximate said goal.
 18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising the following steps: providing an internal frame within said goal opening; and attaching an internal net to said internal frame for substantially covering the area of said goal opening, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is controlled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said sports goal.
 19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of attaching an external net to said external frame comprises the substeps of: providing a fastener; and releasably fastening said external net to said external frame with said fastener.
 20. A method according to claim 18 wherein said internal net is concave-shaped. 